On May Day, No Justice Delayed: Thousands Expected to Take the Streets In Los Angeles for Workers, Immigrant Families, and Communities of Color

(April 22, 2015, Los Angeles) – The Los Angeles May Day Coalition, the oldest network of community organizations, labor, immigration reform advocates, faith communities, and allies, announced plans for this year's May 1, International Worker's Day, mobilizations in Los Angeles.

Under the banner “On May Day, No Justice Delayed,” the Friday, May 1 plans include a rally at the Dragon’s Gate landmark, a march through downtown Los Angeles major thoroughfares, and, a first for 2015, an Immigrant Families Resources Fair at Grand Park, right across from City Hall.

The theme speaks to this year’s demands: a) $15 an hour wages; b) no more delays in the implementation of the deferred action programs known as DAPA/DACA; and, 3) fair law enforcement practices that disproportionately impact Black and Latino communities.

"It is our duty as a labor movement to fight for a living wage and enforcement so that working families have a chance to thrive. The time is now to raise the wage for hundreds of thousands of working Angelinos,” said Rusty Hicks, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

The May Day mobilization starts at 3 p.m. at the corner of West Cesar E. Chavez Ave. and North Broadway in Los Angeles. A rally kicks off the festivities with the expected participation of well-known leaders in the labor, faith, immigrant rights, and civil liberties community, as well as elected officials. Several immigrant families and workers impacted by low wages, immigration delays, and unfair law enforcement practices will take to the microphone.

“We are not marching this year for the sake of filling the streets,” said Angelica Salas, CHIRLA executive director. “We are raising our voice to say justice has been denied to millions who await their chance at the American Dream. Justice has been denied to millions who work hard and earn barely enough to survive. Justice has been denied to millions whose dignity and respect have been trampled by law enforcement agencies. Enough is enough and our presence on May Day is the exclamation point in our demands.”

The march is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. moving east on Cesar Chavez, south on Main Street through Placita Olvera, looping east on W. Aliso St., stopping briefly in front of the Los Angeles ICE Detention Center on Alameda Blvd. Marchers proceed north on W. 1st Street, briefly stopping in front of the LAPD headquarters, finally stopping on N. Spring Street, in front of City Hall and Grand Park.

New to 2015, the Coalition is also coordinating a large Immigrant Families Resources Fair with the support of entities such as the City of Los Angeles Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and dozens of other organizations. More than 50 tables will offer information, referrals, and assistance to members of the Los Angeles community. The 5 pm to 7 pm Resources Fair will feature more than 30 immigration, housing, criminal defense, and wage theft attorneys. These professionals will be available for brief consultations at no charge to members of the public.

“CARECEN believes DACA plus and DAPA are correct and completely within the scope of the President’s executive powers,” said Martha Arévalo, CARECEN Executive Director. “We have been preparing since President Obama’s announcement in November to help people access this important immigration relief. On May 1, we will come together with our partners to give the community reliable, up-to-date information on what the programs do and don’t do, and our legal and organizing staff will be there to answer questions from the public.”

The Coalition has scheduled art-making parties for April 29 and 30.

Alejandra Valles, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU-USWW said: “Workers come here to contribute to and boost our economy -- not to become casualties of exploitation by employers that prey on vulnerable workers. It’s time for a Wage Theft enforcement bureau in Los Angeles.”